verb (used without object), scintillated, scintillating.
1.
to emit sparks.
2.
to sparkle; flash:
a mind that scintillates with brilliance.
3.
to twinkle, as the stars.
4.
Electronics. (of a spot of light or image on a radar display) to shift rapidly around a mean position.
5.
Physics.
(of the amplitude, phase, or polarization of an electromagnetic wave) to fluctuate in a random manner.
(of an energetic photon or particle) to produce a flash of light in a phosphor by striking it.
verb (used with object), scintillated, scintillating.
6.
to emit as sparks; flash forth.
Origin
1615-25; < Latinscintillātus (past participle of scintillāre to send out sparks, flash). See scintilla, -ate1
Examples from the web for scintillate
Liquids which scintillate include toluene and xylene.
Now when they meet one they expect her to scintillate.
British Dictionary definitions for scintillate
scintillate
/ˈsɪntɪˌleɪt/
verb (mainly intransitive)
1.
(also transitive) to give off (sparks); sparkle; twinkle
2.
to be animated or brilliant
3.
(physics) to give off flashes of light as a result of the impact of particles or photons
Derived Forms
scintillant, adjective scintillantly, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Latin scintillāre, from scintilla a spark
Word Origin and History for scintillate
v.
1620s, from Latin scintillatus, past participle of scintillare "to sparkle, glitter, gleam, flash," from scintilla "spark" (see scintilla). Related: Scintillated; scintillating.